SPRING/SUMMER SEASON 2018

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1 1 SPRING/SUMMER SEASON 2018

2 WELCOME CONTENTS 2 When looking through our latest brochure we hope you get as excited as we are about the Spring/Summer season an exciting new venue, classic tales, heroic adventures, challenging relationships and a boundary-pushing collaboration. Enjoy the work of our production and acting students in a wide variety of venues - in this packed season from January to July. We are thrilled to welcome back Bill Alexander (RSC, Birmingham Rep) to direct The Taming of the Shrew in the wonderful setting of Circomedia this February. One of Shakespeare s earliest plays and arguably his most controversial, this play-within a play concerns the passionate battle between Kate and Petruchio. Prepare yourselves to be transported to Transylvania in March as we stage the classic novel Bram Stoker s Dracula in a raw and sultry adaptation by Liz Lochhead. Director John Walton (Jermyn Street Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe) will be taking audiences on a journey from Whitby to Count Dracula s crumbling mansion, via an asylum, in an immersive experience in the tunnels under Temple Meads at The Loco Klub. Wrap up warm and hold your nerve! Back in more traditional theatre surroundings, the Directors Cuts Season returns to the Wardrobe Theatre with contemporary work by Richard Bean, Jack Brunger, Philip Ridley, and Sam Steiner. Showcasing the brilliant MA Drama Directing students in a season of cuttingedge theatre. Our students can once again be seen on tour across the region. Firstly in Beowulf, which has been created especially for young audiences by Toby Hulse. In the summer we tour The Mill on the Floss, George Eliot s unforgettable story of first love, sibling rivalry and regret, which has been reimagined for the stage by Helen Edmundson. Building on our summer collaborations with Bristol Old Vic, for 2018 we are joined by the fantastic Diverse City, a company committed to diversity and equality in the arts. Its Co-Artistic Director Jamie Beddard will star in an ambitious new production of The Elephant Man directed by Lee Lyford (Bristol Old Vic, Watermill Theatre). We look forward to you joining us on our theatrical adventures and thank you for your continued support. Paul Rummer Jenny Stephens Principal Artistic Director Redgrave Theatre Percival Road Clifton Bristol BS8 3LE Circomedia St Paul s Church Portland Square Bristol BS2 8SJ The Loco Klub Nr Temple Meads Clock Tower Yard Bristol BS1 6QH The Wardrobe Theatre The Old Market Assembly 25 West Street Old Market Bristol BS2 0DF Backwell Playhouse 25 Mariner s Drive Backwell Somerset BS48 3HT Bristol Old Vic King Street Bristol BS1 4ED Beowulf 4 5 Redgrave Theatre The Taming of the Shrew 6 7 Circomedia Dracula 8 9 The Loco Klub Directors Cuts The Wardrobe Theatre The Mill on the Floss Backwell Playhouse The Elephant Man Bristol Old Vic BOOKING For full details of how to book by phone or online, please see page 19 3

3 A NEW PLAY RETELLING THE STORY OF THE GREATEST ANGLO-SAXON POEM BEOWULF Written and directed by Toby Hulse Inspired by the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf the bravest of the Anglo-Saxon heroes, fighting flesh eating monsters and fire breathing dragons, over an inhospitable landscape, in the defence of Hrothgar, King of the Danes. Nine year old Sophie knows the story of Beowulf well. She has enjoyed sharing it many times with her mother, a professor of Old English. Together they have even learned to read a language that no one has spoken in this country for over nine hundred years. 4 Image: Mark Beech But Sophie is fighting monsters of her own, monsters every bit as terrifying as those that Beowulf must face. Her mother is dying, and Sophie s life is changing beyond her control. A new play retelling the story of the greatest Anglo-Saxon poem ever written, and exploring how we respond to death; performed in Bristol Old Vic Theatre School s trademark mix of gripping storytelling, bold physical action, and live music, with a sprinkling of the original Old English! Anyone who was thrilled by last year s Jason and the Argonauts will need no persuasion to join Beowulf and Sophie in this epic battle to the death. Suitable for anyone over seven with a taste for adventure! Sat 3 February 2018 Sat 10 February am Tickets 8 Redgrave Theatre oldvic.ac.uk 5

4 MY TONGUE WILL TELL THE ANGER OF MY HEART, OR ELSE MY HEART CONCEALING IT WILL BREAK. THE TAMING OF THE SHREW By William Shakespeare Directed by Bill Alexander A group of aristocrats come across a sleeping drunken beggar, Christopher Sly, and decide to play a trick on him. They wake Sly and pretend that he is a lord and for his benefit a company of players will act out The Taming of the Shrew. This play-within-the play concerns the passionate battle between two of Shakespeare s most unforgettable characters Kate and Petruchio. The Taming of the Shrew is one of Shakespeare s earliest plays and one of his most controversial. As Sly and the aristocrats watch the play it becomes increasingly relevant to their own lives. They become more deeply involved scene by scene in ways they could not possibly have imagined. Sat 17 Sat 24 Feb Eves: Tue 20 / Thu 22 & Sat 24 mats: 2.30pm They are to learn about the strangeness and unpredictability of love, the mystery of living purely in the moment and the magical, transformative nature of theatre itself. Tickets: 17 full 12 concession Age guidance: 12yrs+ 6 Image: Hide the Shark In the extraordinary setting of St Paul s Church, Circomedia, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School aim to bring you a production that will radically alter your view in this subversive but enlightening masterpiece by the young Shakespeare. Circomedia oldvic.ac.uk 7

5 YOU GOT TO LISTEN, HELP ME OR HE GET IN. DRACULA By Bram Stoker Adapted by Liz Lochhead Directed by John Walton Experience the terror of Bram Stoker s Dracula in this eerie and immersive production deep in the underground caverns of Temple Meads station. Please note: This is a promenadestyle immersive performance. There will be seating around for those that need it as we move through the tunnels. After the interval the audience will have the opportunity to sit for a significant portion of the action. There is disabled access but the floor is uneven in places and some parts of the show will be in limited lighting. We encourage you to wear sturdy shoes and wrap up warm in dark coloured clothing. We kindly request that high heels are not worn. Ushers will be on hand should you need assistance. 8 Image: Hide the Shark Solicitor Jonathan Harker arrives at Count Dracula s crumbling mansion deep in Transylvania to provide legal assistance. The Count has bought a castle next to an asylum in England and plans to travel over to take up his new residence. Back in England at the asylum an inmate is refusing hospital food, living off insects and birds whilst babbling about his master who is coming with the promise of eternal life. Then, as a storm rages in the dead of night a black ship heads towards the English coast Poetic and psychologically gripping, Liz Lochhead s Dracula is a raw and sultry stage adaptation of Bram Stoker s hugely influential novel. It was first performed at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, on 13 March Fri 9 Sat 17 March Eves: Sat 10: 3pm & 8pm Thu 15 & Sat 17 mats: 2.30pm Tickets: 17 full 12 concession Age guidance: 12yrs+ The Loco Klub oldvic.ac.uk 9

6 DIREC TORS CUTS DIRECTORS CUTS LEMONS, LEMONS, LEMONS, LEMONS, LEMONS BY SAM STEINER Directed by Caroline Lang Designed by Emily Leonard Tue 1 Sat 5 May The average person will speak 123,205,750 words in a lifetime. But what if there were a limit? Oliver and Bernadette are about to find out. Sam Steiner s awardwinning play imagines a world where we re forced to say less. It s about what we say and how we say it; about the things we can only hear in the silence. KISS ME BY RICHARD BEAN Directed by Katharine Farmer Designed by Daniel Scott Tue 15 Sat 19 May A desperate woman. A chivalrous man. And a forbidden kiss that changes everything. Richard Bean s new play is a beautiful and unorthodox love story about two people struggling to escape the guilt and ghosts of the past, set against the shifting world of London post-world War I. FOUR PLAY BY JAKE BRUNGER Directed by Liam Blain Designed by Stavri Papadopoulou Tue 8 Sat 12 May After seven and a half blissful years together Rafe and Pete s lack of sexual experience is driving them apart. When they proposition mutual friend Michael to help them out - knowing full well that he has his own partner, Andrew - what seems like a quick fix suddenly spirals out of control. Four Play is a new comedy about sex and commitment in the twenty-first century. TENDER NAPALM BY PHILIP RIDLEY Directed by Evan Lordan Designed by Caitlin Abbott Tue 22 Sat 26 May A couple share the greatest love story ever told, but most of it is complete horse$%&#. The bits of truth that shine through in the stories they tell each other are stained by tragedy, but that s okay. They love dark places; it s there that they can find the light. Tue 1 Sat 26 May Eves: Sat mats: 2.30pm All Tickets: 10 Season Ticket: 35* *book at same time for all four shows and save 5 Wardrobe Theatre oldvic.ac.uk 11

7 THEY HAD ENTERED THE THORNY WILDERNESS, AND THE GOLDEN GATES OF THEIR CHILDHOOD HAD FOR EVER CLOSED BEHIND THEM. THE MILL ON THE FLOSS WEST COUNTRY TOUR 2018 By George Eliot Adapted by Helen Edmundson Directed by Paul Clarkson In this fluid and visceral re-imagining, Helen Edmundson (Queen Anne, Coram Boy, The Heresy of Love) turns George Eliot s unforgettable story of first love, sibling rivalry and regret into a wonderfully theatrical examination of the psyche of one of classic literature s most charismatic heroines. Brought up at Dorlcote Mill, Maggie Tulliver worships her brother Tom and is desperate to win the approval of her parents, but her passionate, wayward nature and her fierce intelligence bring her into constant conflict with her family. As she reaches adulthood, the clash between their expectations and her desires is painfully played out as she finds herself torn between her relationships with three very different men: her proud and stubborn brother Tom; hunchbacked Phillip Wakem, the son of her family s worst enemy; and the charismatic yet dangerous Stephen Guest. With rare theatrical vibrancy, Helen Edmundson s free adaptation distils the essence of George Eliot s feminist novel. Evening Standard not only re-invents the novel, but pushes the boat out theatrically way beyond its usual moorings The Guardian An intensely moving dramatisation stylised, but free of empty theatrics. The Times FURTHER TOUR DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED Thu 31 May Sat 2 June Eves: Sat mat: 2.30pm Tickets: 17 full 12 concession 12 Image: Hide the Shark With its poignant portrayal of sibling relationships, The Mill on the Floss is considered George Eliot s most autobiographical novel and here Edmundson loses none of its breadth, whilst beautifully examining the complex nature of relationships and love. Backwell Playhouse oldvic.ac.uk 13

8 SOMETIMES I THINK MY HEAD IS SO BIG BECAUSE IT IS SO FULL OF DREAMS. THE ELEPHANT MAN Written by Bernard Pomerance Directed by Lee Lyford The partnership [is] a worldclass platform for graduating students. BRISTOL 24/7 on Julius Caesar Joseph Merrick is The Elephant Man. The sordid spectacle of a travelling freak show, he moves from city to city, mercilessly put on display to the horrified delight of Victorian audiences. A London surgeon also takes a keen interest, but is soon faced with a moral dilemma to help Merrick or to use him to advance his scientific career? 14 Image: Richard Brett Inspired by the extraordinary life of a man with a facial disfigurement, Bernard Pomerance s multiaward-winning play explores changes in perception. Merrick s story was also recognised in David Lynch s film starring John Hurt. Our ongoing partnership with Bristol Old Vic is further developed into a three-way collaboration with their new Associate Company, Diverse City, which is committed to diversity and equality in the arts. Its Co-Artistic Director Jamie Beddard (Messiah) will star in this ambitious new production, directed by Lee Lyford (The Snow Queen). This amateur production of The Elephant Man is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. Tue 26 June Sat 7 July Eves: Thu & Sat mats: 2.30pm Tickets: Bristol Old Vic bristololdvic.org.uk 15

9 FULL TIME PROFESSIONAL COURSES Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is recognised as one of this country's leading Conservatoire Drama Schools, training students in a professional environment for careers in the Arts and Entertainment Industry. Operating on three specialist teaching sites and performing in the major producing theatre venues in Bristol and on tour, our students are trained to the highest standards for work in theatre, film or radio drama. Visit our website for more information: oldvic.ac.uk 16 The School has an outstanding graduate employment record and an international reputation as a centre of excellence. We have strong links with all aspects of the industry across the UK and beyond. Our Courses: l Professional Acting (FdA) (BA Hons) l Professional Acting (MA) International l Production Arts (Stage & Screen) (BA Hons) l Production Arts (Stage) (FdA) l Costume (FdA)+ BA(Hons) top-up l Theatre Design (MA) l Scenic Art (MA) l Drama Directing (MA) l Theatre Production Management (MA) l Film Production (MA) Photo: Graham Burke GET INVOLVED AND SUPPORT THE SCHOOL There are new opportunities for individuals and businesses to Support the Theatre School. As Theatre School Patrons individuals can become more involved with School activities including special behind the scenes events. Sponsoring a Theatre School production gives businesses a range of unique benefits, including: l Hospitality opportunities for your clients and staff l Marketing and advertising to a targeted audience l As a charity we can help you to fulfil your Corporate Social Responsibility For more information: Amanda Boyd-McLaughlin Development and Communications Manager amanda.boyd@oldvic.ac.uk 17

10 CALENDAR 2018 Beowulf Redgrave Theatre Percival Road Clifton Bristol BS8 3LE The Taming of the Shrew Circomedia St Paul s Church Portland Square Bristol BS2 8SJ Dracula The Loco Klub Nr Temple Meads Clock Tower Yard Bristol BS1 6QH Sat 3 February 10.00am Sat 10 February 10.00am February Sat 17 Mon 19 Tue 20 Wed 21 Thu 22 Fri 23 Sat 24 March Fri 9 Sat 10 Mon 12 Tue 13 Wed 14 Thu 15 Fri 16 Sat pm 2.30pm 2.30pm 3.00pm 8.00pm 2.30pm 2.30pm Directors Cuts Lemons, Lemons, May The Wardrobe Theatre Lemons, Lemons, Tue 1 The Old Market Assembly Lemons Wed 2 25 West Street Thu 3 Old Market Fri 4 Bristol BS2 0DF Sat pm Four Play Tue 8 Wed 9 Thu 10 Fri 11 Sat pm Kiss Me Tue 15 Wed 16 Thu 17 Fri 18 Sat pm Tender Napalm Tue 22 Wed 23 Thu 24 Fri 25 Sat pm The Mill on the Floss Thu 31 May June Backwell Playhouse 25 Mariner s Drive Fri 1 Backwell Sat pm Somerset BS48 3HT 18 BOOKING Beowulf / The Taming of the Shrew / Dracula / Directors Cuts / The Mill on the Floss: book through the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School / oldvic.ac.uk Our Box Office is staffed for telephone bookings Mon Fri 11am 2pm. Outside of these times please leave a message or book online 24/7 at oldvic.ac.uk The Elephant Man: book through the Bristol Old Vic / bristololdvic.org.uk The Elephant Man Bristol Old Vic King Street Bristol BS1 4ED June Tue 26 Wed 27 Thu 28 Fri 29 Sat 30 July Mon 2 Tue 3 Wed 4 Thu 5 Fri 6 Sat pm 7.00pm 2.30pm 2.30pm 2.30pm 19

11 ENJOYED THE SHOW? WANT TO KNOW MORE? Join the Bristol Old Vic Theatre Club which has supported the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School since its foundation. Membership gives you a monthly newsletter, a full programme of events supporting Bristol Old Vic and theatre in Bristol and beyond. Our close relationship with the Theatre School would also give you: l Exclusive insight about forthcoming productions at our Directors and Designers Previews every term l Opportunities to follow the progress of acting, technical, design and directing students l An invitation to our welcome reception for international course students l Exclusive guided tour of the annual design students exhibition l Privileged tickets for graduating actors showcase preview and the BOVTS Award ceremony l Attending the annual graduating students party l Exclusive open rehearsals of forthcoming shows l In Conversation events with staff and students l Quiz and other social events You will be joining other members who are passionate about theatre and supporting the work of the Theatre School. Application form via our website: bristololdvictheatreclub.org.uk By joining the Theatre Club, you will gain great insight into how the Theatre School works and enjoy meeting its staff and students. Paul Rummer, Principal, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Annual subscription 18 ( 32 for two adults at same address) 8 students/under 18s WORLD CLASS TRAINING MADE IN BRISTOL 20 Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Design: oldvic.ac.uk